When to do a pregnancy test. When can a pregnancy test be done to make sense
Having bought a pregnancy test, the instructions for which are on the package, you can make a number of annoying mistakes, because the space on the bag is limited and all the information simply does not fit on it. And in the early stages of pregnancy, this can lead to a false negative result. Let's take a look at what home pregnancy tests are and how to use them.
A pregnancy test is a simple and reliable device for detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a special hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy.
The part of the dough that comes into contact with urine adsorbs the test material. Then urine flows through the capillaries to a special sensitive matrix. The matrix contains proteins that react with hCG. If a reaction occurs - on the test, the corresponding symbol appears in the result evaluation area.
The gestational age at which the test will show a positive result depends on the sensitivity of the test, which is expressed in milli International units per milliliter (mMu / ml). On the market you can find tests with a sensitivity of 10, 20 and 25 mMU / ml. The higher the sensitivity (the lower the number), the earlier the test can be carried out.
Most tests (20-25 mMU / ml) are able to show the result from the first day of delay, the most sensitive (10 mMU / ml) show the result 7-10 days after conception (and implantation). On the 7th day of the delay, absolutely all tests will show the result. The accuracy of tests, in laboratory conditions, reaches 99% and higher. The accuracy of the test is independent of appearance and price.
A false negative result is possible in such situations:
- Low hCG levels in urine (tested too early)
- Individual characteristics - sometimes (more than 10% of cases) implantation of the ovum is delayed until the 17th day after intercourse
- A lot of fluids were drunk or diuretics were taken the day before the test
- The test was delivered incorrectly
- Test expiration date
- The dough packaging is not airtight
A false positive result is possible with:
- Taking medications containing hCG within 14 days before the test
- For some diseases of internal organs
- Test expiration date
- After childbirth, abortion or miscarriage, persists for some time elevated level HCG
- More than 10 minutes have passed since the test
In any case, the final diagnosis of pregnancy should be carried out by a gynecologist.
Types of tests
Pregnancy tests differ, as mentioned above, in their sensitivity.
The next difference is appearance and the way the test is carried out. The test can be of the classic form - in the form of a test strip(first generation tests), they come in different widths, can be enclosed in a plastic case.
Pregnancy tests in a plastic case are with litmus stick, it must be immersed in urine, inkjet(third generation tests) or cassette(second generation tests) - a few drops of urine must be applied to them.
Separately located electronic tests for pregnancy. In the area for evaluating the result of the electronic test there is a liquid crystal screen and an inscription appears on it about whether the woman is pregnant or not.
Additionally, electronic tests can show the approximate gestational age and / or determine the level of other hormones, for example luteinizing, then in case of a negative result, the test will tell you the most auspicious days for conception in the next cycle. It is possible to transfer the received data to a computer.
Usually, replacement cartridges are included with electronic pregnancy tests.
The price of test strips depends on the width of the strip itself, sensitivity, design and quality of their packaging (bag or cardboard box).
The price for tests in a plastic case depends on the sensitivity of the test, additional comfort options and the brand. Often, the kit contains all the utensils necessary for setting the test (a glass, a pipette, etc.).
How to do a pregnancy test correctly
Let's look at the main nuances of taking a pregnancy test.
For more clarity, I suggest watching the video.
Conclusion
So we looked at the main pregnancy tests and the nuances of the instructions for them.
remember, that positive test pregnancy is not a reliable sign of the onset of pregnancy. For a final diagnosis, contact your gynecologist. A negative test with a delay in menstruation for more than 7 days is also a reason to see a doctor.
Thanks for sharing the article on in social networks... All the best!
Best regards, Elena Dyachenko
Pregnancy is an important stage in the life of every woman. The correct definition of this exciting event is equally significant in the case of planned conception and its unexpected occurrence. Since it is especially important to determine the fact of fertilization as early as possible, in Lately modern express tests are becoming the main means for its initial diagnosis.
How pregnancy tests work
Diagnosis of pregnancy using a test is based on the detection of a special hormone in the female urine - human chorionic gonadotropin, the production of which actively begins on the 6th day after the fertilization of the egg. When a biomaterial containing hCG comes into contact with a reagent, a staining reaction of the indicator occurs, which is highly likely to indicate the onset of conception.
Chorionic gonadotropin levels begin to rise from 6-10 days after fertilization. Having reached its peak in the second trimester, its number begins to decline.
HCG growth dynamics
The reliability of the test and its ability to determine pregnancy at the most early dates directly depends on the level of sensitivity, measured in milli International units per milliliter - mMu / ml. In modern rapid tests, this indicator varies in the range of 10-25 mMU / ml. The lower the set parameter, the more sensitively the indicator reacts, therefore, fertilization can be detected at the earliest stages (11-12 days from the moment of ovulation). A more accurate diagnosis can only be provided by a biochemical study of blood, since the concentration of hCG in it increases a little earlier.
The standard indicator of the test sensitivity of 20-25 mMU / ml with the maximum degree of reliability reveals an increased hormone level as early as 1-2 days of delay in the menstrual cycle.
Reasons for inaccurate determination of the presence of pregnancy
Despite the high degree of reliability of modern express studies, when determining the presence of pregnancy, false-positive or false-negative results can often occur. In each individual case, the reasons for the error may be different.
In rare cases, the test readings may be erroneous.
To reduce the likelihood of errors during diagnosis, it is recommended to repeat the test after 2-4 days.
Reasons for establishing a false positive test result:
- some diseases and disorders in the work of internal organs and endocrine system, in particular - ovarian dysfunction;
- taking medications based on hCG within 2 weeks before the study;
- an attempt to diagnose pregnancy in less than 2 months after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion;
- expiration of the shelf life of the test or non-compliance with storage conditions (violation of the tightness of the package);
- the presence in the body of tumor formations that produce the hormone chorionic gonadotropin;
- skipping more than 10 minutes after the start of the diagnosis (for certain types of tests).
Factors influencing the detection of a false negative result:
- an attempt at early diagnosis carried out before the recommended time indicated on the package;
- disruption in the endocrine system;
- low hormone content associated with the individual characteristics of the woman's body;
- violations of the diagnostic procedure;
- expiration date;
- non-compliance with storage conditions or violation of the tightness of the package;
- reception on the eve of the test of certain types of medicines.
Preparing for the test
All existing types of express tests are based on the principle of detecting the hCG hormone in the biomaterial (urine).
Popular types of tests
In order to eliminate possible inaccuracies in determining pregnancy, it is advisable to follow several recommendations:
- use tests only of the correct expiration date, packed in airtight containers;
- opening the package should be done immediately before the test;
- rapid tests are for single use only. If, for some reason, the indicator gave incorrect readings for the first time, attempts to carry out diagnostics with it again do not make sense;
- the highest concentration of the hCG hormone accumulates in the body during the night, therefore, according to the instructions, a pregnancy test is best done in the morning;
- it is advisable to wash before urinating;
- collection of biomaterial is carried out in clean dishes;
- following the instructions, lower the indicator into the liquid only to the specified level;
- it is necessary to strictly observe the diagnostic time;
- compare the diagnostic results with the attached instructions for the pregnancy test.
With a long delay in the menstrual cycle in conditions when the pregnancy test shows a negative result, a blood test will help to identify the presence of the hCG hormone in the body.
Types of pregnancy tests
Regardless of the level of sensitivity, pregnancy tests also differ in design and method of application:
- strip strips - narrow paper strips impregnated with a reagent with antibodies to the hormone are considered the most popular and affordable type of test, which, despite its low cost, has a high diagnostic reliability.
- flatbed - are a modified format of strip strips enclosed in a plastic block with two windows.
- jet - similar to a mini-case, at one end of which there is an indicator that does not require collection of urine in a container, but conducts diagnostics upon contact with biomaterial during urination. The indication is displayed in a separate window.
Inkjet pregnancy test
- electronic digital - highly sensitive miniature devices with a simple system for collecting biomaterial, in which the result is displayed on a liquid crystal mini-screen. Certain types of devices are compatible with a PC and make it possible to determine the approximate gestational age with a high degree of probability. They are considered among the most expensive.
Pregnancy test: instructions for use
Since the classification of modern tests is based on the principle of diagnostics, each of the presented types has its own differences and application features.
The cost of the test does not directly affect its reliability.
Strip strips
Since the kit for these express tests does not include a special container for collecting biomaterial, it must be prepared in advance. You need to collect a little urine in a clean, dry container and dip a paper strip into it for a few minutes to the mark indicated on its base. You can judge the presence or absence of pregnancy no later than 10 minutes later. A positive result is marked with 2 parallel lines, a negative one - one.
Pregnancy strip test
Tablet option
The tablet test kit includes a mini-case with an identifier, a special urine container and a pipette. Having collected the necessary portion of biomaterial in a container, you need to collect a large number of into a pipette, and then apply a few drops to a special window. In no more than 10 minutes, the result in the form of one or two stripes will be reflected in the second window.
Jet view
Due to the absence of the need to collect liquid in a separate container, jet pregnancy indicators are considered one of the simplest and most convenient to use. To carry out the procedure, it is enough to place it under the stream of urine for 5 seconds. Diagnostics can also be carried out in the standard way by placing the tip in a container with biomaterial. The result will be displayed within 10 minutes (the time depends on the total level of the hormone) in the form of one or two strips. High sensitivity allows you to determine the presence of conception at the earliest possible date.
Electronic digital apparatus
The most modern and also expensive way to determine fertilization is to use electronic system checks. The tip of the filter is briefly immersed in urine and after 3-4 minutes the result is displayed on the liquid crystal display. This type is considered the most accurate, effective and convenient, but the inscription disappears after a day.
Diagnosis of deviations using express test
A simple pregnancy test system, carried out by a test, is able to reveal not only the fact of fertilization, but also various problems and pathologies.
An increase in hCG levels can occur not only during conception, but also in non-pregnant women, as well as in men. Such a deviation may indicate a number of serious diseases. Among them:
- tumor formations in the testes in men;
- pathologies associated with the formation of a tumor in the gastrointestinal tract;
- malignant and benign tumors in the respiratory and genitourinary system;
- molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole;
- malignant trophoblastic tumor.
An increase in hCG levels is possible in men.
Of particular note are tests in which the second strip is clearly paler than the first. Such an indicator may indicate a reduced level of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin. This condition is possible in the early stages of conception or in cases with a frozen pregnancy.
If you have any doubts about your health, it is better to immediately consult a specialist.
Regardless of whether a woman wants a child or, on the contrary, perceives its possible appearance negatively, each of them treats the test with a certain excitement, waiting for the result.
In order to be able to trust him, many nuances must be observed. There is nothing complicated in these rules, especially if you understand what the principle of the test itself is based on and what can affect the result.
So, how to do a pregnancy test correctly, when is it better to use it, can it be used in the afternoon or in the evening, or is it necessary only in the morning, how many days after the intended conception or delay in menstruation?
Operating principle
Immediately after the egg is fertilized, a special hormone begins to be produced in the woman's body, which before that was not there even in small quantities - human chorionic gonadotropin or a more familiar name to many - hCG.
This hormone is produced by the shell of the embryo from the seventh day of conception, and its amount increases daily by two to four or more times until a certain period, and then begins to decline.
The principle of the tests is aimed precisely at detecting this hormone in the urine of a woman, without determining its amount. In other words, it is possible to determine pregnancy, but only laboratory tests will help to establish its duration.
The detection of a possible conception occurs due to the fact that the test contains antibodies to hCG, therefore, if they are present in the test fluid, the color of the indicator immediately changes.
Types and instructions for use
To date, a large number of various tests have been presented to the attention of women, with the help of which it is possible to confirm or deny pregnancy.
It has long been no longer necessary to go exclusively to a pharmacy to purchase them, although some varieties still cannot be bought in a regular store.
Of everything exists four types of tests that help in this crucial question: conventional strips with applied antibodies, inkjet, not involving urine collection, as well as more reliable methods of detecting pregnancy - plate tests and reservoir systems.
All of them act on a similar principle (determine the presence / absence of hCG in urine), but differ in sensitivity, method of conducting and, importantly, in price. Therefore, every woman, having studied all the nuances of each of them, has the right to choose herself what to use.
Test strips
It can be said without exaggeration that this the most popular method for determining pregnancy at home... Firstly, it appeared much earlier than the others, secondly, it is quite easy to perform, and thirdly, it is very cheap in comparison with other varieties.
Using such a pregnancy test is easy: you need to collect urine, lower the strip into the container to the marked level for the specified time and evaluate the result. The longer the period, the higher the probability of a correct result. As a rule, they are recommended to be carried out after a delay in menstruation (by 6-7 days). In this case, subject to all conditions, the accuracy will approach 99%.
Unfortunately, such a wonderful method has many disadvantages. For example, it is advisable to take a sterile container for collecting urine, otherwise foreign microflora may distort the results.
It is important to strictly adhere to the conditions, because if the immersion time is too short, the reagent may not have time to interact with urine, and if it is too long, it may simply slip off the strip and not show the correct information.
Another disadvantage is strict observance of storage conditions... Despite the fact that today you can buy a test in almost any supermarket, it is still better to contact a pharmacy, since an expired shelf life or violation of storage conditions makes it unusable.
Inkjet test
Easy to use and very reliable in terms of the results you get. There are several main advantages.
First is extremely high sensitivity: even if the hCG content in the blood is still very low, the result will be positive. This allows you to find out about the existing pregnancy even before the onset of a delay in menstruation.
Secondly, the conditions of use do not imply collection of urine, which excludes the influence of foreign microflora on the results: you just need to hold it during urination.
How to do a inkjet pregnancy test:
This option of use eliminates the possibility of errors associated with non-observance of the contact time of urine and reagent, as in test strips. That is why it is most suitable for women who do not know how to wait and are worried about the results.
Among the disadvantages this method definitions of pregnancy, the fair sex is confidently called only one - this is his high price... However, given the fact that sometimes more than a dozen of them are required to confirm pregnancy using test strips, it is more profitable to purchase a jet immediately.
Tablet tests
Few people came across them at home, since most often they are used in hospitals. This method helps to know about conception soon after, even before the onset of a delay in menstruation. However, according to those who used it, the pluses end there and the negative moments begin.
The first is the price. Tablet tests are by no means cheap, and therefore many people prefer to wait 2-3 days for the results of a blood test for hCG. Moreover, they not very convenient to use: there are two holes on their surface. In one of them, you need to drop 3-4 drops of urine collected from a sterile container with a sterile pipette.
How to use this pregnancy test:
Failure to comply with these requirements can significantly distort the results, so if you nevertheless decide on such an expensive diagnostic method, study all the nuances of its implementation and observe them.
Tank test systems
They are both a diagnostic test and a container for collecting urine. The advantages of this method are - high accuracy and minimal error rate due to the fact that everything is sterile, and the amount of test material required for the test is taken from the container by the system itself.
There is no need to interpret the result- an inscription about the presence or absence of pregnancy will appear in the external window (the language of the inscription depends on the manufacturer).
With all the undoubted positive aspects, one can single out two disadvantages of this method: firstly, this is a rather high price, and secondly, it is cumbersome, which does not allow it to be carried out outside the home or hospital.
Despite the different principles of use and sensitivity, all these tests have one thing in common: compliance with the rules of use significantly increases the reliability of the results.
In order not to have to doubt the information received, it is recommended to diagnose the morning, very first urine, since it contains the highest hCG hormone content.
This is the only recommendation that applies to all varieties. The rest relate to each individually. For example, it is better to use test strips after a few days of delay in menstruation, for tablet it is important to comply with the conditions of sterility, etc. The most undemanding, perhaps, remains the inkjet test..
Frequently asked Questions
Of course, at the first suspicion of pregnancy, few will run to the doctor, regardless of whether it is desired or not. Therefore, express methods are becoming more and more popular, but the number of questions asked regarding their use is not decreasing.
Is it a mistake?
Yes. Mostly popular are false negative results (denial of pregnancy, if any), provoked by violations of the rules of use. To avoid this, read the instructions carefully.
If the result is negative, is pregnancy possible? And vice versa?
The first option is more common, it is caused by an early attempt to determine pregnancy. It is extremely rare, but there is also a false positive result, provoked either by the poor quality of the test, or by violation of the rules for its conduct. For this, recommendations for retesting are given.
When to do a repeat pregnancy test?
If you are sure that you are pregnant, but the result is negative, or vice versa, repeat the procedure after 2-3 days, if the delay is already present, or on the seventh to eighth day of the delay.
Do the results depend on the time frame?
By and large, no. The test does not show the level of hCG, but only its presence. However, if the period is too short, the indicator strip may become very faintly colored. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the procedure after 3-5 days.
There is no delay, but pregnancy is possible. Does it make sense to do a test?
If your task is to determine pregnancy as early as possible, you can do the test before the delay occurs, but then it is better to give preference to any other than test strips.
Is it possible to have a positive result before the missed period?
Yes. HCG is found in the urine of a pregnant woman from the 8th day after conception, so high-quality tests with high sensitivity may well determine the likelihood of conception even before the date of the onset of the expected menstruation.
Is it possible to conduct research at any time of the day?
Is it mandatory to take a pregnancy test in the morning? It depends on the term. If it is already large enough, hCG will be determined in any case, but if it is only 2-3 days of delay, it is better to conduct the study in the early morning, with the first urine.
How to understand the bars and how to interpret the totals?
The stripes are the results. Examine the packaging: it says that one of the strips is a control one, i.e. its absence indicates the unsuitability of the test for diagnosis, and the second is an indicator one, which changes color when it comes into contact with the test material containing hCG.
Two strips - you are pregnant, one control - the result is negative, the absence of a control strip - the test is unusable.
How long does it take to get the result?
As a rule, such information is indicated on the dough packaging and must be strictly observed.
Fuzzy second stripe - what is it?
Perhaps there is a pregnancy, but the period is still short, which is why the concentration of hCG is insufficient for intensive staining of the indicator. Repeat the procedure after a few days. Also, a weak second strip may be, since the concentration of hCG is lower with it.
Can a pregnancy test be reused?
Is it possible to define an ectopic pregnancy in this way?
Yes, because with her, the hCG hormone is also present, although in smaller quantities. That is why doctors warn that if you get a positive result, you need to contact the antenatal clinic as soon as possible in order to exclude incorrect placement of the ovum.
Despite the abundance of methods that make it possible to diagnose pregnancy without the participation of a doctor, experts warn that they still remain nothing more than an alternative method.
To establish the exact date, as well as to timely identify possible pathologies professional medical attention is required.
With the release of tests to establish an "interesting position", the fair sex can learn about their new position from the first days of fertilization, much earlier than the gynecologist can establish this fact. So, what is the mechanism of functioning of the considered devices?
How does a pregnancy test work?
All tests have a similar mechanism of their work. At the onset of fertilization, when the embryo attaches to the uterine walls, the body immediately begins to produce the pregnancy hormone, which is abbreviated as hCG. The device in question has a special strip where the reagent is placed.
When urine comes into contact with a given substance, its color begins to change. This happens because there is a large amount of hCG in this fluid. You can carry out the test before there is a delay in the expected menstruation - the indicated hormone is produced in the early stages of gestation. Initially, it appears in small quantities, but within 14 days its concentration increases thousands of times.
In the usual test, there is no hypersensitivity, so in the first week it does not show any reaction, because there are very few hormones. It is necessary that at least 10 days have passed from the moment of fertilization. But there are other devices - jet devices. They are characterized by the highest sensitivity and make it possible to know the result a week before the start of the expected period.
Let us designate that the sensitivity level of most of the tests starts at 25 mUI. Some instruments indicate that the test starts to be sensitive as early as 10 mUI, but this is difficult to prove.
Tests are divided into inkjet, plate, strip and reservoir systems. These tools vary in design, but the principle of the analysis is the same.
Test strips... They belong to the 1st generation of express diagnostic tools. They have a simple structure, so their cost is the lowest. It is these tests that are most common among buyers and lead among sales. This is a paper strip impregnated with a specific reagent. It needs to be placed in urine for 15 seconds, and then, stretched out, in five minutes the result will be ready.
If the test is applied correctly, then the accuracy on the 1st day of the delay exceeds 90%. A week after the absence of menstruation - from 95 to 100%. There is one strip on the test, which is a control. Then you look - if the second is also present - then this indicates your fertilization.
The advantages of this device are that it is not expensive and is sold in any pharmacy.
Of the minuses, it should be noted that the sensitivity is low compared to other types of tests - 25 mIU. To perform testing, you need to collect urine in a container, which is a little inconvenient - you need to take it clean to collect it. The results can be deceitful, as the reagent is on paper that does not allow it to withstand its exact concentration. This can provoke an insufficient result.
Another drawback - if applied incorrectly, the result may be false. For example, if a woman overexposes it, then this can provoke the washing off of the reagent, and the second strip will not appear. If, on the contrary, the device was not used, then an insufficient amount of urine may be collected, and it will not report anything. Errors are permissible if the technology was violated in the manufacture of the product, as a result - the strips are not uniformly impregnated with the reagent.
Their sensitivity is greater - from 10 mIU to 25. They are able to establish fertilization earlier. It is necessary to apply a drop of urine into the window on the device with the pipette provided in the kit.
The device in question is much more convenient, but its cost is not low. They are used in hospitals for professional analysis. Here is the device of the device in question - there are two windows - urine is applied to one of them with a pipette that comes with the device. The drops begin to spread, reach the strip of the reagent (it is not visible to the eye) and begin to react with them. The second window shows the result. During pregnancy, the reagent will be colored. The device does not have the same disadvantages that strip devices have.
Advantages - this device does not need to be immersed in liquid. To make the test more convenient to use, a special pipette is included with it.
Cons - more expensive compared to test strips. In order for the urine to be drawn into a pipette, it must also first be drawn into a clean container.
Inkjet... These devices are the most advanced today. They have a higher level of sensitivity and a complex structure.
Such a device allows you to detect fertilization even with a small quantity of hCG - 10 Mme per ml. It contains a layer of blue particles that attach to the hCG when present in the urine. In a few minutes, the result will be visible, it will be accurate, but the cost of these products is significantly higher than other tests.
It is convenient to use inkjet devices, since they can be used in any conditions. There is no need to look for a sterile bottle to detect pregnancy. You just need to substitute one of the ends of the test for urine, wait a couple of minutes and, voila - there is a result.
Also, according to the principle of the structure of jet tests, ovulation tests were made - the time when the possibility of fertilization is the highest.
Inkjet test cassettes have a not so simple device. The rod consists of tubules, along this rod, the liquid begins to rise at high speed to the place where the reagent is located. The test system contains a layer of latex microparticles with antibodies, to which hCG is well attached.
This device has supersensitivity, even if the minimum percentage of hCG, the test will not be mistaken.
Tank systems... These devices are very convenient as they come with a urine collection container. There is a window on the wrong side, and the test part is in the tank. The result of the test carried out does not depend on the amount of urine in the container, the test begins to independently absorb the amount that is needed for testing and establishing an accurate result.
After a while, you will be able to see the result in the test window.
Which test should you choose?
Regardless of whether a woman wants a baby or not, she acquires a test in order to find out the answer that interests her. If her periods are delayed, she can't wait to find out faster than it was provoked. Which test should you choose?
Here are some tips to heed when buying a test:
- The reliability of the device depends on the quality of the diagnostic system. The result will be as reliable as possible if the system uses a high amount of specific antibodies and is ready to record the smallest amount of hCG.
- The name of a reputable manufacturer - this fact in itself guarantees the quality of the dough.
- Usually, the lower the cost of tests, the poorer quality reagents are used in them and the lower the accuracy of the studies will be.
- Package. It is important when choosing a test. It should contain all the necessary information about the test and its manufacturer, and the packaging must also have an expiration date and production number, batch number, telephone number for feedback. Test strips should not be thinner than 3 mm in width. The test must be completed with Russian-language instructions. Since all tests are highly sensitive to moisture, there must be sachets in the pack that absorb moisture.
If your menstrual cycle is regular
In the middle of the cycle, an egg is released for fertilization. If the cycle is thirty days, then this process happens on the fifteenth day, with a 28-day cycle - on the fourteenth day. Fertilization takes place within two days. After intercourse, she is 5-6 days on the way to the uterus. At the 22nd day of the cycle, an increasing pregnancy hormone can be determined. The highest quality tests are able to show fertilization even 5 days before potential menstruation, when the amount of hCG exceeds 25 mUI.
If your menstrual cycle is irregular
You can find out when ovulation happened by:
- the appearance of signs of PMS;
- increased BT levels;
- ovulation test.
Having determined the number, you need to add another twelve days to it - then you can identify an increase in hCG in the bloodstream. After fifteen days, highly sensitive tests can be used.
Terms of use
- The test should be kept under the conditions that are written on the package by the manufacturer;
- It is important to adhere to the instructions - to lower the device in urine to a special mark, while the strip should be in the liquid for the recommended time, no more. You also need to evaluate the result at the specified time;
- The container where urination is carried out must be clean;
- before urinating you need to do hygiene procedures;
- A pack of tests should be opened immediately before use, it is forbidden to wear a plain text for a long time, and then use it, since its results will be false;
- The test should be carried out on night or morning urine;
- It is important to monitor the expiration date of the test so that it is not expired;
- The package in which the test is sold must not be damaged.
Negative fertilization result
The percentage of the hormone produced during gestation increases differently for all women. For a two-week period after the never-come period, the device can notify you of a negative result. If the test indicates the absence of pregnancy, but the patient does not have a single doubt that it is developing inside her new life, then this phenomenon has several explanations
If your period is delayed, then this is not an accurate sign that a woman has become pregnant, because there are many factors that affect the menstrual cycle itself.
Initially, this can happen if the fair sex has some gynecological diseases (for example, inflammation of the appendages). Also, this includes not only serious, but also very frequent diets, being depressed, a failure in the functioning of hormones, and strong physical exertion. A woman shouldn't be stressed often.
Regardless of the reason for the delay, the test will not detect the presence of pregnancy. Usually, with a successful fertilization, you can get one strip due to the quality of the test, as well as due to its improper use. It is important to adhere to the rules that are indicated in the instructions for use of the test. Also, a similar thing can happen for more complex reasons, which include deviations in the development of the child.
The most common reasons that provoke denial during fertilization are:
- Incorrect use of the device. For the result to be correct and accurate, before starting to use the test, you must familiarize yourself with the instructions attached to it. In the beginning, there is a risk of getting a false result. False data can also be if the test was saved in the wrong conditions, and also, if it has a defect, the expiration date has expired.
- Testing for very short periods. This is the most common reason a test does not show the correct result. In the early stages of gestation, too little hCG is produced in the blood. Almost always, an accurate result can be obtained about two weeks after conception. At the same time, some future women in labor may lose their menstrual cycle. As a result, all the indicated symptoms affect the amount of hCG. If, after the study, the woman has any remaining doubts, you can repeat the procedure in a couple of days. If even after this the result is not correct, then it is better to consult a doctor and pass the tests prescribed by him.
- The use of medications. This happens if the patient, before the study, consumed drinks with a diuretic effect or various medications. The fact is that there will be a much smaller amount in diluted urine. In the early stages of gestation, it is recommended to carry out the test in the morning. If a lot of liquid was drunk in the evening, then even in the morning you can get a negative test.
- The presence of any violations. If various diseases are found that are associated with the work of internal organs, then the test may show the denial of pregnancy. Initially, this will be associated with the presence of kidney disease, in which a minimum level of hCG is present in the urine.
- Violations in the development of pregnancy often happen so that during gestation, a woman does not stop having her periods, while testing will show a negative result.
In almost all cases, this process is associated with the development of an incorrect pregnancy, behind the uterine cavity. False data can also be in the presence of violations in the development of the fetus. If there is a risk of miscarriage, freezing of pregnancy, with placental insufficiency of the fetus. If there is a suspicion of the presence of conception, but testing shows only one strip, an urgent need to contact a highly qualified specialist for help.
False positive result
This can happen if:
- the woman has impaired ovarian function;
- the test is carried out in the first two months after childbirth;
- the test is used expired;
- when a tumor occurs.
Test during menstruation
In some women, menstruation may not stop even when they become pregnant. But you should be aware that menstrual blood is not displayed at all on the sensitivity of the test, so the result will still be true.
Even if the patient used a material in which spotting is present, if the required amount of hCG is present in her, the device will show two stripes.
Ectopic pregnancy test
Fertile egg in such a condition as ectopic pregnancy, fixed in most cases in fallopian tube, and not in the uterine cavity as expected. But hCG is starting to be produced as well. The only feature is a slight increase in the level of hCG or a complete absence of its growth.
That is, in the presence of a pathological pregnancy, the test will show two bands. Most likely, the second will be hard to see, and it will be blurry and indistinct. And in this case, the test will be positive only after a delay in menstruation.
There is a test called INEXSCREEN. It makes it possible to determine not correct pregnancy a couple of weeks after the delay.
Dead pregnancy test
If a woman did the test several times, and it clearly showed a positive result, and then within a week the repeated test shows a barely noticeable second strip or does not show it at all, then this is more likely to indicate that the pregnancy has frozen. You need to see a doctor, and as soon as possible.
When to do the test?
Usually, there is no information in the instructions for the texts when it is better to do testing. That is, in the presence of pregnancy, the test will be positive at any time of the day.
Doctors recommend doing this procedure in the morning. In this case, the result will be true, especially in the early stages of gestation. If you do in daytime, that is, the risk that a mistake will be made, since the urine, due to the fluid consumed throughout the day, will not be very concentrated.
A similar outcome will be if the test is carried out in the evening - the concentration of hCG will be significantly lower. If there is a need to do the test during the daytime, it is recommended to refrain from urinating for four hours. In this case, it is important to limit the amount of fluid consumed.
For the first time, every woman is destined to experience the suspicion of conception. Before visiting a gynecologist, it is easiest to check your suspicions using a simple pharmacy guide. When is it better to do a pregnancy test - they are interested in this not only with a delay, but also after unprotected intercourse. For some, learning about the upcoming motherhood is touching and exciting, others do not know what to do next if the test is "flapped". In any case, testing is indispensable, and it is important to know all the nuances in order not to get a false positive or false negative answer.
How a pregnancy test works
Girls who have sexual intercourse should understand that on the days of ovulation, each unprotected PA must end in pregnancy. The more judicious try to clarify after each "suspicious" sexual intercourse when it is better to do a pregnancy test in order to avoid inaccuracies. Most manufacturers guarantee 99% accuracy, but it's important to read the instructions first.Conception is quite physiological for two sexually mature partners. If fertilization has not occurred, there must be some reason. But the majority, having felt the changes in the body after the meeting of the egg with the sperm, are surprised at a possible pregnancy, and are in no hurry to check.
In any pharmacy there are several varieties of "striped girl friends". But not from pharmacists, but on female forms, they are often asked what to buy and when it is better to check a pregnancy test at home.
Pharmacy tests differ in a number of parameters:
- verification method;
- analyzer type;
- sensitivity level;
- cost, which includes the popularity of the brand and the reputation of the manufacturer.
Chorion is the forming shell of the embryo or the future placenta that develops in the ovum when it is fixed in the uterus. But it happens that it stays in the fallopian tubes, and during menstruation, you can check a pregnancy test if in doubt.
Attention: The development of the embryo in the tubes or outside the uterus is an ectopic pregnancy that is dangerous for a woman's health. In the early stages, its identification using conventional tests is problematic!
The molecular level of the hormone increases every day. There are special tests that determine exactly this indicator - ask them at pharmacies. The number 10, 20, 25 or 30 indicates the level of concentration of the "pregnancy hormone" in urine, expressed in international units or mIU / ml.
The sensitivity threshold of the test is their ability to respond to the minimum concentration of hCG. When to do a pregnancy test depends on his “competence”. In the early days, it is better to buy highly sensitive rapid tests. The lower the digital indicator, the more sensitive the determinant.
The analyzer's accuracy does not depend on its shape, design and cost - only the reagent on a highly sensitive matrix or an impregnated strip of paper in a special capsule is responsible for this. In the sector for evaluating the result, after the reaction, a symbol, a colored strip or an inscription should appear. Usually the Latin letters pregnon (pregnant) or non pregnon (not pregnant) are used.
After how many days and when can a pregnancy test be done?
Entering into sex life, every girl or married woman must know what is going on in her womb. It is important to be aware of the peculiarities of your physiology in the first months after fertilization. Then it will be clear when is the best time to apply a pregnancy test.Implantation of an actively dividing egg into the lining of the uterus occurs approximately on the 7-11th day, counting from the days of ovulation. This is the release of a mature egg from the follicles in the middle of the cycle. The growth of the hormone level rises to the point at which the active substance of the pregnancy test applied to a strip of paper begins to react to it.
Accordingly, before checking a pregnancy test, you need to wait a while. Immediately after fertilization, nothing will be visible, although intuitively a woman can understand that this is the "X" hour! After 15 days, most tests will strip. But you need to wait at least 10-15 minutes for the analyzer to complete its work.
Caution: How to check a pregnancy test correctly? Read the instructions for use or ask the pharmacy who offers it to you.
In the early stages, inkjet and electronic tests are suitable. The most sensitive, prematurely used reagent can be wrong. And 100% accuracy can be expected from pharmacy testing at about 7-12 weeks of gestation, when the maximum level of hCG. This is the answer for the ladies who are interested in when the pregnancy test starts to "strip"?
Can a pregnancy test be done in the evening?
Most tests are best done in morning hours, on an empty stomach, when the level of hormones and chemical compounds in the blood is unchanged. This is important when the pregnancy is short. Young women are interested in whether a pregnancy test can be done in the evening or at other times of the day? It is important to understand that morning urine is the most concentrated, and not every reagent is designed to recognize the minimum amount of the hormone.Attention: Especially sensitive tests can detect even a small concentration of a substance, so the time of day does not matter.
High precision inkjet tests on the packaging are labeled "10 mIU / ml". They are very convenient to use under any conditions, for example, at a hotel or on the road - after another romantic meeting or honeymoon. To do this, you do not need to look for a suitable container, you can simply urinate on the indicated part of the device. That is why they are called "jet", and after a week such a pregnancy test will show the result.
Sometimes girls (or their boys) buy 2-3 tests different types so that if one is wrong, check again. How many pregnancy tests do you need to do? How do you know which reagent didn't lie? In any instruction it is written about the reliability of the evaluation of the analysis by 95–99%, respectively, an error is possible. There is also a false-positive answer - the test was "striped", but there was no pregnancy. And what if the test showed pregnancy, and this is a false positive result? Do not rush to conclusions, check again, later you will go to the ultrasound clinic.
There are several reasons for the wrong answers:
- a large amount of liquid was drunk the day before (blood and urine are highly diluted);
- the gestational age is not enough to check;
- there are traces of fertility drugs with hormones in the body or tumors producing complex molecules like hCG;
- used the test incorrectly or the wrong side (read the instructions);
- test with low sensitivity;
- pregnancy test - not morning urine, the level of hCG is not high enough to determine the hormone;
- expired pharmacy test (check before purchase) or compromised tightness;
- violation of storage conditions (pharmacy kiosk on the market, sale in the cold);
- there are residues of biomaterial in the uterus after an abortion, spontaneous miscarriage or premature birth.
In girls who have had problems with the frequency of menstruation, individual characteristics can affect a false negative result. With pathologies, it is even more difficult to answer at what time to take a pregnancy test. The hormonal background "jumps" when paired female organs do not work synchronously. It happens that ripe eggs leave the follicles on different days, then it is difficult to determine the exact days of ovulation.
Low permeability of the tubes can increase the travel time of the embryo by several days. The mobility of the ovum in the tubes is also different. In this case, it is difficult to tell how early a pregnancy test can be done, especially if the cycle is irregular.
Interesting remarks can be read on women's forums. For example, “I’m afraid to do a pregnancy test, suddenly it’s negative” or “I did a test this morning, but I’m afraid to look, suddenly it’s positive”. If it comes to suspicion of conception, feel free to go all the way, to the last point. Easy pregnancy, happy childbirth and happy motherhood!